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Frequently Asked Questions
About Therapy
What is therapy?
What is confidentiality?
What are my therapist’s responsibilities?
What are my responsibilities as a client?
- What is therapy?
- The main purpose of therapy is to facilitate your problem solving and personal
growth. This occurs when you begin to acknowledge your freedom to change, accept
the responsibility to make those changes, and then take action.
Therapy is a process by which you can make positive life
changes. The word "process", according to Webster's Dictionary, is a
natural phenomenon marked by gradual changes that lead toward a particular result,
e.g., the process of growth. The implied message in this definition is that major
changes take time. These major changes are an accumulation of smaller changes
directed at a desired result. Don't expect quick fixes.
In therapy you will learn to identify, label and process your
feelings and thoughts. You will also evaluate your behavior. Most unwanted feelings,
thoughts, and behaviors can be changed with work. Therapy is work. It is not something
your therapist will do to you, but instead something you will be guided through. It is
important to remember that in therapy you will be encouraged to make well thought-out
choices. If you have difficulty making choices, your therapist will teach you decision
making skills. It is also important to remember that if you choose not to work in and/or
out of the therapy setting, you will probably not achieve your desired results. The days
and hours between sessions will be the time when most of your work will be done. In the
first stage of therapy, time is spent discussing concerns and getting to know each other.
It is important to develop a trusting relationship in the early stages of therapy. A
trusting relationship is necessary to the therapeutic process. Often people enter therapy
because they have difficulty forming positive relationships with others. This is an
indication this person has difficulty trusting others. Your therapist will be very
patient and encouraging if this is a problem for you. Much attention and time will be
devoted to your needs in this area.
As trust is developed, it becomes easier to discuss feelings and
needs. The result is a better understanding of yourself and the development of plans for
making changes. Realistic goals can be set and choices can be explored. Active involvement
by you, both during the therapy session and outside therapy, is required in order for
changes and growth to occur. You will usually be given suggestions at the end of your
therapy session to be carried out before your next session. Many times these suggestions
will be generated from your own ideas for "homework" assignments since you are
more aware of your time restraints, abilities, interests, etc. Again, it is your choice
to work outside the therapy setting, but try to remember you have come to a professional
who is knowledgeable about the necessary steps in the process of change. It is very
important in goal setting to evaluate your progress and modify goals at appropriate times.
Therefore, part of your session will be devoted to discussing the previous week's assignment.
Therapy has three phases. A beginning that begins with the first
session, a middle that can begin and end at any time, and an end that begins two to three
sessions before the final session. When you are ready to bring a close to the therapy
process, it is your responsibility to make this known to your therapist. Closure on
therapy occurs for various reasons including the accomplishment of goals, moving out
of town, need to focus attention elsewhere, or dissatisfaction with your therapist.
Whatever the reason for ending therapy, schedule a final session and discuss your leaving
with your therapist. Not showing up for your session or just "disappearing" is a
very unhealthy way to deal with good-byes and conflicts.
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- What is confidentiality?
- The therapists&146; code of ethics and the state laws regulating therapy consider the
personal information you discuss to be confidential. This means that no information about
your therapy can be released without your written permission. Also, your therapist recognizes
that a trusting relationship between a therapist and client can not be formed if information
is not kept confidential. However, in a small number of situations, therapists are legally
required to break confidentiality:
- If you reveal information that indicates a clear and immediate danger of injury to
yourself or others, the therapist is required by law to contact the appropriate
authorities and/or family members.
- EVERYONE, including you, is required by law to report knowledge and/or suspicion of
abuse and/or neglect to an incompetent person, disabled person, or a child.
- When a court-ordered subpoena requires the release of records kept at the therapist’s
office and/or requires the therapist to give testimony at a court hearing.
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- What are my therapist’s responsibility?
- In the initial session, your therapist will ask detailed questions about your history,
your life situation, and your present concerns or problems. After the therapist has
identified the specific problem areas, the two of you will agree upon a treatment plan
including goals, tentative methods to accomplish these goals, and approximate length of
time to achieve the goals.
Occasionally, clients have extreme difficulty functioning in their
everyday life. If your therapist feels medication might help you function better and it will
facilitate the therapeutic process, you will be referred to a psychiatrist for a medication
consultation. Your therapist and the psychiatrist will work very diligently to insure that
you are not using unnecessary medication, will not become dependent on medication and will
not have your therapeutic process retarded. Taking medication is a client’s choice, and
you will be provided adequate information for making a wise decision.
If, at any time, you or your therapist determines that your therapist
can no longer be of help to you, another appropriate professional will be suggested. Mariposa
Psychotherapy Associates is committed to giving you the very best available therapy.
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- What are my responsibilities as a client?
- Personal commitment to therapy is crucial for success. If you must cancel your appointment
or come late for an appointment you are expected to notify your therapist. Payment is due at
the beginning of each session. Valid methods of payment are: credit card, cash or check.
Payments will be reimbursed or credited if the cancellation of the next session is at least
24 hours in advance or in the case of emergencies. Please inform your therapist of any
insurance changes. Therapists often work late hours, attend out of town conferences, and
have hospital emergencies that make them difficult to reach. Twenty-four hours notice usually
will insure your therapist gets your message. Also, this gives others and an opportunity
to schedule their session in your time period.
Please be on time for your sessions. They will last only 50 minutes.
Think ahead about what you would like to work on, pace yourself, and plan to stop on time.
Obviously, there are times when it is impossible to shut down your feelings or finish
thoughts precisely after 50 minutes.
Equally important are the responsibilities you have to be an active,
open and honest client with your therapist. Your most important responsibility, however, is
to work toward the goals you and the therapist have agreed upon. Seeing a therapist for 50
minutes per week will be of little benefit without additional effort outside the therapy office.
This work can include thinking about the material covered in your sessions, making yourself aware
of the behaviors you want to change, or working on specific assignments made by your counselor.
Examples of a specific assignment might be keeping a journal, reading a specific book or article,
or practicing a new skill.
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